Marwell Zoo, near Winchester
Hampshire is ready to welcome you for an unforgettable year of culture, coast and great days out. Whether you love historic cities, family‑friendly attractions or beautiful countryside, you’ll find plenty to enjoy across the county in every season.
2026 is packed with exciting moments. Southampton’s much‑loved City Art Gallery reopens its doors, 7th March 26, with inspiring new displays and exhibition, a must‑visit for culture‑seekers, whilst this summer at The Utilita Bowl it will host six ICC Women's T20 Cricket World Cup matches between 13–20 June 2026, making it one of the county’s biggest sporting events of the year. In Winchester, the Van Gogh Alive at Winchester Science Centre on now until 22nd March 2026, bringing the world‑famous multisensory exhibition to Hampshire for the very first time and offering visitors a new way to engage with Van Gogh’s iconic paintings in the Planetarium Dome. In Portsmouth, the city celebrates its 100th anniversary, with an host of events and a 100 things to see and do. The highlight is the fun and colourful summer of lion sculptures dotted across streets and along the seafront — perfect for families, art lovers and anyone looking for a fresh way to explore, 13th July - 13th September.
Love is in the air at Marwell Zoo this half term, 14th - 22nd February 26, wander through the beautiful parkland to uncover adorable animal love facts, and snap unforgettable memories at the Wild at Heart photo spots. Start your journey to becoming a wine connoisseur at Quob Park Estate, Wickham, 26th March 26, with a introduction to wine tasting which includes Quob Park's expectational English Sparkling wine and six still wines from around the world. Sping is in the air at Jane Austens House, Chawton, with this years Spring Fling Festival, 1st - 4th May with guided Chawton Village walks, themed house tours, and drop‑in reading/drawing sessions. This year, Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, Romsey, celebrates the 25th anniversary of the beautiful Hydrangea Walk bringing vibrant mid‑to late‑summer colour to woodland paths lined with mature camellias, flourishing hydrangeas and elegant viburnums.
From scenic coastline and vibrant events, to cosy villages, walking trails and great places to eat, Hampshire is the ideal spot for a short break or longer escape. Start planning your 2026 adventure today — your Hampshire experience is waiting.
Grab your calendar and start planning your next visit to Hampshire, here our top picks for events happening in the county.
To find out what's on in Hampshire today or this weekend, explore our featured list or use the 'what's on search box' above to narrow down your required date. Families on a budget can look out for the many free events (F) taking place, you'll also find plenty of fun activities for kids to do whether it's during the holidays or on a weekend break.
If you're travelling from outside the area for an event in Hampshire, there are numerous hotels and other accommodation options to suit your needs.
>>> Search & Book Hampshire Accommodation
The guide below shows our calendar of events in Hampshire. Whether you're looking for What's on this weekend or further ahead, whether you're local or visiting the area for the first time, find what's happening near you by clicking the 'Map View' button. Some of the events below are on the Isle of Wight, as it's easy to hop over on the hovercraft or ferry from Portsmouth or Lymington to the island.
Number of results: 165
, currently showing 1 to 20.
General event
Southampton
Steam down Southampton Water to the Solent, complete with musical accompaniment, and seeing the departing cruise ships – always the chance to sound our whistle and play the ‘Shieldhall Organ’!
Enjoy an evening in the company of The Dinner Set, two…
Festival
Lymington
This 10-12th July the Lymington Seafood Festival gets set to celebrate its 10th birthday. The event has grown into one of the south coasts leading food festivals with sell out crowds sampling delicious seafood, live music, the best local chefs…
Carnival
Sandown
Sandown Illuminated Carnival on the Isle of Wight Join in the fun and spectacle of Sandown's Illuminated Carnival!
Carnival route To view the carnival route map, please visit the carnival website.
Music
Portsmouth
Music has always played a vital role in life at sea, from signalling orders across a busy deck to lifting morale during long voyages. In Sounds of the Sea, Southern Music Project teams up with the Royal Marines Band Service Cadets to bring these…
Fireworks
Portsmouth
The Portsmouth Fireworks Display returns for 2026, with a spectacular event planned for Southsea Common.
Arts
St Leonards, Ringwood
About the Event
Everything You Need to Paint a Masterpiece
Join The Paint Club for a relaxed and creative evening of painting! One of our friendly artists will guide you step-by-step from a blank canvas to your very own work of art.
Each artist…
Outdoor Event / Activities
Sarson Lane, Andover
Sunday March 22, May 17 and September 20
10:00am-5:30pm
The Hawk Conservancy Trust are excited to be collaborating with CW Events to bring their visitors an exciting Artisan Market experience on select Sundays throughout 2026!
See the Hawk…
Special Events
New Forest
The iconic International Autojumble will return on Saturday 12 – Sunday 13 September 2026.
Thousands of motoring enthusiasts will join us for the biggest outdoor sale of motoring items this side of the Atlantic. This long-awaited weekend of…
Food
Whiteley, Fareham
£10 Sunday Roasts
Available every Sunday from 4th January at The Parsons Collar Pub
Celebrate Sunday with a tasty £10 treat!
When they are gone they are gone!
Book - lodge@solenthotel.co.uk
Run / Rally
New Forest
We are delighted to announce the return of Simply Jaguar on Sunday 16 August 2026.
All Jaguar owners are invited to drive into Beaulieu and parked up in the National Motor Museum grounds for a superb day for owners and enthusiasts.
Heritage & History
Portsmouth
Join our expert shipwrights for a fun and informative drop-in caulking workshop! Learn about this traditional technique used for centuries to seal wooden seams on ships.
What to Expect:
- Discover how tar-soaked rope fibres are used for caulking…
Performing Arts
New Forest
This Is My Theatre presents Alice's Adventure in Wonderland on Wednesday 12 August 2026.
Step through the looking glass and into a world where nothing is quite as it seems… Perfect for dreamers of all ages, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland invites…
Special Events
New Forest
Beaulieu Supercar Weekend will return on Saturday 1 – Sunday 2 August 2026. This must-see family spectacular brings some of the world's most exclusive and desirable motors to Beaulieu.
This event is a must for all supercar enthusiasts, providing an…
Arts
Newport
Discover the magic of carnival and the creativity behind New Carnival's annual Mardi Gras, a children and young people focused parade at the beginning of July in Ryde, with environmental responsibility prioritised. This exhibition offers a rare…
Festivals
Sandown
A heady mix of country fair, pop festival and a vampire’s worst nightmare, this festival offers everything for the family!
Heritage & History
Portsmouth
Join us for Conservation in Action! Ever wondered how priceless objects survive centuries to be displayed in a museum? Conservation in Action invites visitors to see history being preserved live. In this interactive pop-up lab, families can watch…
Carnival
Sandown
Sandown Bay Regatta on the Isle of Wight Annual summer celebration of Sandown Bay with FREE family entertainment from the stage, beach fun at the Beach Sports Arena and a street market lining Sandown Esplanade.
Family entertainment For the…
Run / Rally
New Forest
We are delighted to announce the return of Simply Audi on Saturday 18 July 2026.
All Audi owners are invited to drive into Beaulieu and park up in the National Motor Museum grounds, for a superb day for enthusiasts and owners.
Run / Rally
New Forest
We are delighted to announce the return of Simply Land Rover on Sunday 5 July 2026.
All Land Rover owners are invited to drive into Beaulieu and park up within the museum complex for a superb day out for both owners and enthusiasts.
Run / Rally
New Forest
We are delighted to announce the return of Simply French on Sunday 28 June 2026.
Owners of all French cars are invited to drive into Beaulieu and park up in the National Motor Museum parkland, for a superb day out for enthusiasts and owners.
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